Are bird houses safe for birds

Bird houses have never really had an history to be concerned about, because a bird house is essentially a rock hard box that is impenetrable to predators.

Bird houses are safe for our wild birds if they're made in wood only, and built specifically to the bird species you intend to attract. Specification for the wrong species can cause issues later, yet its equally important to position a bird house in the right space; that way specific species stays near to natural nesting sites.

When we talk about bird house safety we must always be thinking about quality in mind; wooden bird houses are mostly going to be safe for wild birds, while a ceramic bird house isn't going to be, as its prone to cracks and is usually designed to be hung.

Bird houses are generally safe for our wild birds because we often only buy them at well know stores, brands or manufacturer's who've been producing bird houses for decades.

When we get in o novelty-like bird houses that don't have any design requirements at all, then it becomes serious, as wild birds' lives are on the line.

Solid, probably made in cedar, species-specific bird houses made for Bluebirds to Swallows, are incredibly safe to use.

While cedar wood can splinter, crack, age and weather in due course, wild birds who nest within a cedar box continue to be safe and secure.

Wooden bird houses will hold their shape in spite of all that, and with that will maintain the right amount of heat or cold, depending on the time of year. Only with wooden built bird houses can it be safely mounted to a wooden post or tree trunk.

Predators or pests can invade the interior of a bird house of which, we do have an option to buy a bird house with a predator guard attached to the entry hole - or we can apply a predator guard any time when danger arises later.

Bird houses, if made and sold by recognizable brands, will be built specifically to attract difference species, and will be altered to meet their needs.

Safe if made for right species

What you will mostly experience when using a working bird house that was intended to attract Bluebirds, could in fact end up attracting invasive House Sparrows.

And that is highly likely to happen with your specific bird house, where you end up attracting the species, you didn't intend to attract in the first place. No real danger to that of course, but to house a specific bird species in a box not intended for them, could have consequences.

Example of that is, Woodpeckers nesting in a Bluebird box, which could lead to the Woodpeckers staying in a Bluebird natural nesting site.

It isn't really a bird house safety issue, but it could lead to Bluebirds being chased off by sometimes predatory Woodpeckers.

Woodpeckers will require a bird house of their own, that is deeper than a Bluebird, which could bring Woodpeckers chicks, and young, closely to falling out of the entry hole.

We use different types of bird houses to attract various wild bird species, and so its vital you at least try an accommodate the wrong species if they do end up nesting. With all that, do keep pests and predators away until the occupants leave the nest come the fall.

Collapse possible in years time

Admittedly, an aging bird house can become a safety hazard due to an unkempt bird house not changed out for a brand new one, when you know its past its best.

It is rare I admit but still even a solid, what was a reliable bird house in the past, can become a liability in the future.

It can take time for a wooden bird house to become redundant, and when it does it will likely be the cause of the mounted point. What you use to attach the bird house to a post or tree especially, will be the cause of a potential collapse later.

Its important to keep an eye on how you originally attached the bird house to the place where its mounted, because it may need replacing before its to late.

Still, its very rare like I said and very unlikely to happen due to a wooden bird house solid yet reliable construction quality.

People could tamper with any bird house set up out of your way, yet pests like squirrels or cats on bird houses are possible, and all that leads to strain on the point of which the heavy wooden bird house is screwed, fastened or attached to a post or tree trunk.

Predator deterrent possible

Unfortunately, there are far too many predators that can turn up at any kind of bird house, like snakes, squirrels, and predatory birds who wish to do harm to the occupants.

And while these same predators will raid a naturally built nest in a tree or crevice in a city, it can become an issue at the bird house.

Understand, bird houses put up in a yard are always going to attract predators like this, so we know before hand to put up defenses. You must always buy or make a bird house with a predator guard which is attached to the entry hole - this is often enough to keep predators out as it will make the bird house entry hole smaller.

Predator guards come in all shapes and sizes and must become a secondary entry hole.

Bird houses always come under attack and when they do it can lead to both mom and pop abandoning their eggs or chicks.

To counter that, you can also keep an eye on the occupants to be sure there's no signs of predators or local pests, like the neighbors cats, who're trying to scratch their way in.

Noise and movement outside the box is enough for the adults to abandon their duties as parents raising chicks inside of a bird house.

While bird houses do have their downsides like predators it can all work out in the end if you have the occupants well being at heart.

Conclude

Bird houses must continue to be a safe space if you're are ever going to see any kind of success of nesting birds, because the responsibility lies on you to keep the occupants safe from people, pets and predators.

While bird houses are better than good for wild birds of all species, it can take up a lot of your time when keeping an eye on their time spent in the box. But that's why you do it right? So you can be responsible for bringing new wild birds in to the word.

Well, you will do just that but you just need to keep the parents and their chicks alive for the duration of their stay.

Bird houses themselves remain a reliable, safe and convenient way for wild birds to nest in spring, and roost come the winter.

Made in wood, preferably cedar, bird houses are like a solid brick. In no way can it break due to wear and tear, nor can small predators break apart this kind of box. With that, the box can fall unless you've attached it with a reliable point in the rear.

Bird houses are essentially a safe house for wild birds and in a way much safer than an exposed, undefended birds' natural nest built in the wild.

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